With all of the talk about deploying DART or not I thought I would see what DART says about themselves and why they exist. The following is (selectively) taken from their website: (emphasis added and I suggest you read the whole thing)
Operational criteria
The DART is a military organization designed to deploy rapidly anywhere in the world to crises ranging from natural disasters to complex humanitarian emergencies. The DART:
- responds rapidly, in conjunction with national and regional governments and non-governmental agencies, to stabilize the primary effects of an emergency or disaster;
- provides potable water and medical aid to help prevent the rapid onset of secondary effects of a disaster; and
-gains time for the deployment of national and international humanitarian aid to facilitate long-term recovery in a disaster-struck community.
Mission capabilities
Comprising about 200 CF personnel ready to deploy quickly to conduct emergency relief operations for up to 40 days, the DART can bridge the gap until members of the international community arrive to provide long-term help. The DART is designed to deploy only to permissive environments — that is, locations where it will not encounter any organized resistance or threat.
Conclusion
Canada is an important provider of international humanitarian assistance and emergency relief. The creation of the DART enhanced the federal government's ability to meet both domestic and international requests for aid, and it demonstrates Canada's resolve to support disaster victims anywhere in the world.
Cross-posted to The Shotgun
